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Lawmakers proposing emergency text-message system for state schools

Stunned by last month’s Virginia Tech shootings, the Senate Ways and Means Committee is expected to today propose spending $250,000 on an emergency text-messaging system for all of the state’s public colleges and universities.

Students would get cell phone warnings of any emergency, from a shooting to a natural disaster to a pandemic illness.

“That’s your life now,” Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, said in an interview. “They’re electronically connected, and they are all text-messaging.”

The money will be included in the Senate’s proposed state budget, which will be released today. The budget must be approved by the House and Gov. Deval Patrick, who has called for such a warning system on college campuses.

The state Board of Higher Education discussed the need for a text-message system after a shooter took 32 lives at Virginia Tech, and then his own. The idea has wide support among college campuses.

The Board of Higher Education would work with the Executive Office of Public Safety to establish the emergency system for 400,000 students, faculty and staff at all five UMass campuses, plus state colleges and community colleges.

“I think it’s a very positive step,” said John Hoey, a spokesman for UMass Dartmouth. “On this campus, public safety is obviously a very high priority. We’re constantly looking for new tools and new strategies to make the campuses safer. It’s clear that instant and text messaging has a place in any strategy.”

Michael Gross, a spokesman for Cape Cod Community College, welcomed a text-messaging system. The community college is also discussing ways to reach other students who may not own cell phones or check them as frequently.

Some of the ideas the college is exploring include fax messages and a public address system.

“We are in total support of it, but with our population, there are other elements we might add,” Gross said. “We are looking at these things specifically for our campus, integrated with or in addition (to text-messaging). There’s no question the events, unfortunately in Virginia and elsewhere, have had us looking at the institution and security for some time.”

The Senate budget will also propose a task force to study emergency preparedness at college campuses and identify the “root causes” of violence on campuses.

Senate leaders will also proposed $2.7 million for specific State Police patrols, tied to summer vacation areas and problem roadways, $1.05 million for State Police anti-gang efforts in 14 cities, including New Bedford and Fall River, $21.3 million for community policing grants, and $2 million for grants to prevent youth violence.

The budget will add another $4 million to hire new police officers across the state, part of a campaign promise by Patrick to hire 250 officers this year. Combined with $4 million in a special, year-end mini-budget approved this week, it would put 100 new police officers on the street.

Earlier this week, Murray said the Senate budget will propose shifting up to $75 million a year in state funds into biotech and affordable housing programs. The money is currently directed into state reserve accounts. The state’s “rainy day” fund, which has a $2.1 billion balance, would still get the first $50 million in surplus funds every year.

Murray joined Patrick in promoting an aggressive plan to promote stem cell and biotech research through a $1 billion initiative over 10 years.

Several high-profile Patrick initiatives, including the closing of so-called corporate tax loopholes, are being studied separately and are not expected to make it into the Senate’s spending proposal.

The Senate debates its proposed budget next week, before beginning negotiations on a final plan with House leaders. The budget for the 2008 fiscal year is due July 1.

“We all have our priorities,” Murray said. “We have tried to be as inclusive as possible in meeting the governor’s initiatives where we could.”